IRAQ: CHRISTIANS FIND HOMETOWN IN RUINS

Large parts of the once thriving Christian community of Quaraqosh in Northern Iraq have been left in ruins.

The church in the town, which lies near Mosul, was destroyed by ISIL.

Now liberated from the extremists, those Christians who have returned, are struggling to deal with the new reality.

Marie Sabri a displaced resident said: ‘‘What is there to come back to, destruction? Our beautiful city, where we used to live happily, go to parties, and now we come back to this? To this destruction and injustice? They burned down homes and this…this is a tragedy. My uncle’s house has become like this (church) isn’t this pitiful? It is pitiful.’‘

Few places in Quaraqosh remain unscathed. Graffiti left by ISIL fighters covers most of the buildings that are still standing.

Those trying to rebuild the town, by getting rid of extremists propaganda, admit repainting will only be the first step on a long road to recovery.

WATCH:http://www.euronews.com/2017/02/13/iraq-christians-find-hometown-in-ruins